In a thrilling finish, Maxi Kleber nailed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer after a brilliant crosscourt pass from Kyrie Irving, who shined with a remarkable 38 points, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a stunning 111-110 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. This victory was pivotal, showcasing the Mavericks’ resilience and determination to capitalize on every opportunity, especially in a high-stakes matchup.

With star player Luka Doncic sidelined due to injury, Kleber stepped up impressively, mirroring the impact that Doncic often has against the Lakers with clutch shots. His teammates erupted in celebration, demonstrating their support and camaraderie after he silenced the Lakers’ home crowd with his only successful 3-pointer of the game, proving crucial in the closing moments.

“I’ve never had a shot like that before,” Kleber expressed with a broad smile, revealing that he scored six out of his ten points in a dramatic 7.2 seconds. His performance not only showcased his ability but also highlighted his growth as a player capable of delivering under pressure.

Initially, Kleber capitalized on a critical moment when Anthony Davis fouled him on a 3-point shot, allowing him to sink three free throws. On the following play, Davis managed only one of two free throws, giving the Mavericks another chance. They quickly transitioned the ball to Irving, who drew a double-team and expertly found Kleber for a wide-open 3-pointer, which he launched just before the buzzer sounded, sealing the victory.

“When he passed it to me, I knew I had to shoot quickly,” Kleber recalled. “It felt incredible. As soon as I released the ball, I thought, ‘Wow, it might actually go in.’ And then it did! Suddenly, my entire team was rushing towards me. What a fantastic experience that was!”

This moment was not just a highlight but also a chance for redemption for Kleber, who had previously made a costly mistake by mishandling an inbounds pass with mere seconds left against the San Antonio Spurs, which resulted in a loss. This time, however, he managed to transform potential disappointment into victory, demonstrating his resilience and ability to bounce back.

“Knowing Kyrie, he was determined to go for the win,” commented Mavs coach Jason Kidd regarding the final play. “He recognized the double team and made the smart choice to pass. This trust in his teammates allowed Maxi to be at the right place at the right time.”

Irving’s performance in the fourth quarter was pivotal, as he contributed 13 points in his return from a three-game injury absence. His efforts helped the Mavericks avoid a three-way tie with the Lakers and the Timberwolves, maintaining their competitive edge in the tightly contested Western Conference standings.

“We fought hard to get back into the game, so this loss is tough,” lamented Davis, who also faced challenges with missed crucial free throws in previous losses to Boston and Philadelphia. “Winning games comes down to making the right plays, whether at the free-throw line or making the right defensive reads.”

Davis finished the game with 26 points and 10 rebounds but faced several critical errors in the final moments. The Lakers struggled significantly, missing 12 of their 31 free throw attempts and failing to make a field goal in the last 3:16, further damaging their playoff aspirations. Despite leading by four points with less than 20 seconds remaining, they ended up losing for the third time in four games.

“If we had made our free throws, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation,” expressed Lakers coach Darvin Ham, highlighting the importance of free throw shooting in tight games.

Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 16 points, while Dennis Schröder added 15. The team managed to overcome a nine-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter but faltered in the final minutes, with LeBron James absent and watching from the sidelines.

James sat out his tenth consecutive game since the Lakers’ victory in Dallas last month, and the team has struggled to maintain a winning record without him, now standing at 5-5 in his absence.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Doncic missed his fourth straight game due to a left thigh bruise and hopes to make a comeback early next week. Irving played for 39 minutes after recovering from a sore right foot, while Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 12 points after sitting out the previous game due to a bruised left calf.

Lakers: Coach Ham reported that James’ rehabilitation is progressing well, with a re-examination scheduled for next week. Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with 11 points and 11 assists, while going 0-for-6 from beyond the arc.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Traveling to Memphis on Monday night.

Lakers: Hosting the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.